Romain Lang-Willar

Keep an eye on Romain Lang-Willar. He plans to become one of the nation’s top restaurateurs. The former vice president of Stéphane’s Steak and Seafood just might have what it takes. He does have a good example to follow – his father Stéphane Lang-Willar has more than 30 years of experience in the res- taurant industry and was at the helm of the first restaurant chain in France to go public. But Stéphane looked to his baby-faced, 22-year-old son for advice when they ran Stéphane’s together in Boca. The iPad menus at the restaurant? Lang-Willar’s idea. He also spearheaded social media and marketing. He even spent two months working in the kitchen so he could know the menu inside and out, right down to the house-made sauces and butters. He would check each table meticulously to make sure it was set properly – several times a day. “I like everything to be well- organized, well-presented, well-groomed,” he says. And Lang-Willar is well presented himself, dressed today in a Hugo Boss suit and Boggi tie. His father called him the No. 1 asset of the company. And with all of Stéphane’s experience in the restaurant industry, that comment means something. – Jennifer Tormo